Mary woke up at eleven o'clock.Her plan for the weekend was to organize her old paintings and find fresh ideas for new artwork.When she saw the time, she jumped out of bed, washed her face, and had a quick breakfast. After tidying her room, she sat at her desk, turned on her laptop, and muttered to herself:Mary: Okay, this one sounds more interesting. The timing's good too, after work hours.She registered on the website.
After signing up, she visited the social media platform where she had posted her painting.Mary started reading the comments; there were more negative than positive ones. Some said:
"I think you better quit painting altogether."
"It's great that you value your work and want to improve."
"If you make the sunset more vivid and use more orange hues, it'll look better." Mary (thinking): But… this isn't a sunset, it's a sunrise.
She continued reading:
"What even is this? And you call yourself a painter?"
"Wow, some people really have guts."
"Good job, dear, wish you success."
"Visit my site too; I have great paintings for sale."
"I wish you'd chosen another career instead of painting."
"Your painting is amateurish. To become professional, consider our art classes. Best wishes!"
"Your color work isn't very professional yet, but with more effort, it will improve."
"I can also splatter colors on canvas and call it art, but I don't."
Reading the comments left Mary feeling discouraged.She looked sadly at her canvas and whispered:Mary: I thought it turned out great... I worked all night on it...
Just then, her phone rang.Mary: Hello?Deniz: Hey Mary! How are you?Mary (listlessly): I'm fine... how about you?Deniz (cheerfully): I'm great! I thought I'd call and drag you out of the house for some weekend fun!
Mary (hesitant): I don't really feel like it. I was planning to work on my paintings.(She secretly wanted to go out, but the anxiety from the comments was holding her back.)Deniz: Come on, today's for relaxing. You can focus on painting tomorrow. They say being around people sparks creativity too!Mary (grinning): I think that applies to nature, not people!Deniz: Same thing. Just come!
Mary: Fine, I'll come. Where are we going?Deniz: Let's go to the café where Ava works. There's a new shop nearby too.Mary: Okay, I'll get ready.Deniz: I'm already outside your place. Hurry up!Mary (surprised): You're here?!Deniz (laughing): Yup! Move it!
Mary got ready quickly and went with Deniz to the café. From a distance, Mary waved at Ava, who came over.Ava: Well, well, look who's here! What brings you two?Deniz: Missed you too much, came to visit!Ava (teasing): Yeah, right!
Deniz plopped down on a chair:As always, please. Ava (mocking): You mean a glass of water?Deniz: No, a real latte this time!
Mary: I'll have a green tea... and a slice of cheesecake, please!
Ava: No discounts today though!
Mary stared out the café window, deep in thought. Ava noticed.Ava: Everything okay? You seem a bit down.Mary: I'm fine... just... (pausing)... I posted a painting online and got a lot of negative feedback.Deniz: Happens. People love to criticize what they can't do themselves.Ava: Exactly. Besides, weren't you planning to enroll in an online class? Better to hear feedback from your instructor first.
Mary (excited): Oh right! I actually signed up today. Just waiting for the first session to start!She quickly pulled out her phone and sent her painting to her instructor.
Deniz and Eva looked at each other and smiled
A little while later, Mary said:Mary: I've sent it... hope they don't crush my hopes.Ava: Losing hope means losing faith in yourself. And you're not like that.Mary (grinning): Says the queen of pep talks!
She lightly punched Ava's shoulder and joked:Mary: You should've opened your own café by now — we'd be getting free cheesecake!Ava: It's not that easy, you know.
Deniz: Let's wait until Mary becomes famous. Then she'll make you famous too!
Ava (teasing): Your talent is only eating anyway!Deniz: Well, my talent depends on others — they cook, I eat!
All three burst into laughter and then headed to the new store.At the shop, Deniz and Ava kept bickering playfully, trying different makeup samples on Mary.Once, Ava painted Mary's upper lip red while Deniz colored the lower one pink! Mary ended up with hilarious two-toned lips.Frustrated, she said:Mary: Now it's my turn!
But Ava and Deniz fled, laughing, filling the store with their giggles.
Mary kept checking her phone now and then, waiting anxiously for her instructor's reply.
On the way back, they walked down the street with ice creams in hand. Suddenly, Mary stopped.Mary: Oh my God, they replied!Deniz: What did they say?
Mary read the message aloud:Mary: Dear Mary, your painting had a brilliant concept. The sunrise over the lake and the reflection on the leaves were beautifully captured. Your years of practice clearly show. The only point of improvement is the repetitive brush strokes, which can be corrected with continued effort. I'm confident you'll become a professional artist. Wishing you all the best!
Mary jumped up and down in excitement:Mary: See?! They liked it! They said it was good!
Ava: Told you so!Mary (teasing): Yeah, but you guys were just being nice — this is real feedback!
Ava (pretending to be hurt): Thanks a lot for trusting us!
Deniz laughed: Alright, let's head home.
Mary: Dinner's on me tonight! Deniz, you're joining too!Deniz: Gladly!
That night, as Mary gazed at the city lights and the old-style buildings, she felt a new spark of hope in her heart.Nothing could stop her now.With fresh ideas swirling in her mind, she eagerly awaited the start of her new class.